Journalists can partly ensure respect for new political laws in Kenya

Date Posted : Tuesday, 29 May 2012

Lucy Ndungu, Registrar of Political Parties

It’s a commonly held view that despite a fairly vibrant political atmosphere since the reintroduction of a multi-party electoral system more than 20 years ago, many political parties remain weak. Many die a natural death due to bad leadership, indiscipline and financial mismanagement.

“The new Political Parties Act will change that,” says Lucy Ndungu, the Registrar of Political Parties, who recently addressed a media workshop at Internews in Nairobi.

The energetic Ndungu says that the promulgation of the new constitution came with several political merits, including the provision of a new law that sought to strengthen political parties.

“The new law endeavours to revitalize not just the conduct, but also the status of political parties in the country,” says Ndungu.

But she was also quick to point out that journalists remained a core component in ensuring the laws ultimately achieve what they set out to.

“The media and journalist need to keep watch and ensure that politicians follow both the letter and the spirit of the new laws,” she emphasized.

 The new laws are also aimed at addressing the phenomenon of political party “hopping”, parties set up by wealthy individuals with little or no following, and the registration of “false” members during election political party registration periods.

For more information and background of political party activities since 1991, read here